Nouveautés techniques en échographie mammaire

Ultrasound is an additional diagnostic tool, which raises the detection rate of benign and malignant breast lesions. It is the method of choice for differentiating solid from cystic lesions, for further characterizing mammographic findings and better appreciating palpable breast lesions. B-mode ultrasonography is used in everyday practice. Harmonic imaging and compound imaging can be used to increase the image contrast and resolution. Color doppler is used for studying lesion vascularization; however, there is no consensus as to whether it actually differentiates malignant from benign lesions. New technical developments such as breast elastography, contrast agents, and 3D ultrasound are promising methods for the future.